"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."
-- Pablo Picasso

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Tin Types and Glass Plates

Frank Lopez taught a group of motley photographers the wet plate collodion process on Saturday. During the 8 hour period I was able to take and print one tin type and two glass plates. It was such a learning experience. Tin types were very popular in the American West and during the civil war period. I can understand why. It is a very short period from the time you take the picture until it is developed and ready to go. The digitial camera of the 1860's! These images were made using a 4x5 camera and a period lens.

The blue marks you see are from the egg whites used around the edge of the tin and glass to keep the collodion from running off the plate and then peeling off later. It was the photographic glue of the late 1800's. There are so many things that can go wrong from start to finish. I was just glad that I was able to capture and print 3 images!

Great job Frank! Thanks so much for keeping this process alive and doing such a good job as a teacher. I am a convert and will keep on trying my hand at this process.